Marathon Weekend 2025

[camaker]

OK I'm gonna jump in with a SAFD!
We're almost here! We are just over 2 weeks away! So this is a two-fer!

First: What is your ONE (I mean it!) tip, trick, or wisdom that you can share about having a successful race or race weekend?

Second: What is an attraction you've *never* done in WDW parks? (If you've done everything, what's your "never again" attraction?)

Thanks for picking up my slack with a SAFD, @Herding_Cats! Today was Christmas with my mother in Charlotte, so it was a 3 hour trip each way plus visiting time. We just got home.

1st SAFD: My one biggest piece of advice for a race weekend, especially one involving a challenge, is to RELAX and enjoy the experience. Don't try to hyper-plan every detail of your races. Something is inevitably not going to go to plan and being able to chill and roll with whatever gets tossed at you can easily be the difference between a great, enjoyable experience and accomplishment and a stressed-out nail-biter of one. You've put in all the training you can at this point. Trust it and adapt to anything the weekend throws at you.

2nd SAFD: I'm going to mash the two options up a bit. I'm not a thrill ride person, so I have ridden the "Mountains" a grand total of one time. I rode Space Mountain on my very first trip to Disney during my very first honeymoon. I had a migraine at the time and didn't know what I was getting myself into. It was not pleasant. I will never ride Space Mountain (or any Mountain, for that matter) again.

 

[KellyKateri]

SAFD: 1) Connect your Bluetooth devices (especially AirPods) BEFORE you arrive. Also, update whatever tracking app you use (Nike run club/strava/etc) the night before and open the app BEFORE you arrive at the Epcot parking lot.

One race I had no music bc my AirPods wouldn’t connect to my phone, which is now resolved since I have shockz and then the next race I couldn’t track since my NRC app was bugging out.

Another tip for tracking friends family, share your location the night before on Find My Friends or give someone an air tag, that way you know where they are during/after the race.

2) I’ve done so much, but I think I have still never seen Awesome Planet in Epcot

 

[Fischstick]

SAFD: My tip is pragmatic.....I bring a folded up grocery bag in my pocket for each race for AFTER the race. That way, you can just dump all the goodies in there as you are making your way out of the chute. Think water, powerade, medals, snack box, bananas, mylars/wet towels. Makes the after event pics and meet ups easier too.

Have never done Kali river rapids. I’m not a fan of being wet in a theme park!

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: I’ve been reading all the “haven’t dones” and “will never do agains” and have not seen one yet that applies to me. I’ve done, and still do, the roller coasters, the water rides, the dark rides, the “kiddie rides,” the shows, the movies, and walked the animal trails and climbed the tree house. So all I can think of is I never participated in the carnival games or fossil dig in Dinosaur Land, and I have missed a few of the character meet and greets. I’m looking forward to the new lands, shows, and rides coming up in the next few years.

 

[Z-Knight]

This is awesome! Love it.
Back to everyone having issues with final training runs due to health, weather, watching football, etc.:
I was listening to the latest (or one of the latest) Rise & Runs and they were addressing just this topic, and had a similar message to what others here have said.
To wit: the hay is already in the barn, and not completing the full Goofy/Dopey/whatever simulation run is not going to significantly affect your race, if at all. Especially if you aren't trying to set some PR during MW, which IMHO isn't the place for a PR unless you are starting way up front and don't want any photos.
To that I'll add: if you are running the Dopey and can't do the whole simulation, even a 5 or 6 mile run four days in a row is good training.
I'm not dismissing or contradicting Galloway, Hanson, or anyone else, just noting that at this point effectively starting your taper a few days early isn't going to kill your race, especially if the greater benefit is from resting and recuperating from a cold or a physical ailment.
Also, there are a number of us who never do the full race length(s) during training and finish just fine. Helping you will be the rest breaks from stopping for photos, and the crowd energy is also good for additional miles.
YMMV

The hay be in the barn, but my barn is on fire!!!! I'm literally doing mental math for the marathon to figure out how many minutes I can gain by starting before balloon ladies and how many minutes I can gain by jogging early miles so that I can hobble the remaining one!!!! haha

It's gonna be tough, but hey, it's always tough to do great things.

 

[Herding_Cats]

The hay be in the barn, but my barn is on fire!!!! I'm literally doing mental math for the marathon to figure out how many minutes I can gain by starting before balloon ladies and how many minutes I can gain by jogging early miles so that I can hobble the remaining one!!!! haha

It's gonna be tough, but hey, it's always tough to do great things.

Team Not-So-Fast is here for you!

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD:

1. Simple: Have Fun!

2. I have never done Hall of Presidents or Country Bear Jamboree in MK. The America Pavillion show in Epcot. The new-ish Cars show at HS. Pretty sure I’ve done everything in AK. Although the parks are, in many ways, a gigantic example of Americana, I’m happy enough to avoid the specific instances.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

First: What is your ONE (I mean it!) tip, trick, or wisdom that you can share about having a successful race or race weekend?

Second: What is an attraction you've *never* done in WDW parks? (If you've done everything, what's your "never again" attraction?)

SAFD:
My one piece of wisdom is to use the gear check bag to transport ice to your bathtub.

An attraction I have never done is TriceraTop Spin. & I regret not doing it during the marathon last year after being rejected from Everest lol.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I did my 2nd and final 20 miler today! No back to backs in training for me, I "just" did the 20 miler this weekend It was a beautiful day in the Twin Cities, forecast was real feel 15F but it ended up being more like 25F. I dressed well but legs were really stiff by the end, nothing a hot shower couldn't fix. The sun melted the icy spots and the 6" of snow we had was all powder, so one of my less hazardous winter long runs overall.

SAFD:

1. My wisdom is to make your packing list now. Look over it a few times so you know you have everything on it. Nothing worse than trying to pack last minute without a list and forgetting your Garmin charger

2. I've never been to Tom Sawyer Island. Probably never will, now that they're getting rid of it

 

[FFigawi]

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

Don't worry, the annual "The Hay Is In The Barn" post will not be made until 2025.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD:
Advice: put a change of shoes in your gear bag; I personally like Sanuk yoga slings, they're as close to not wearing shoes while still having some nice cushion between you and the ground.

Rides: I've never been on Kali River Rapids

 

[StarGirl11]

unfortunately missed my last chance to do a good long ride this weekend. Skin cancer runs in the family so I had to get in with my dermatologist office before the new year for my biannual check. And had a couple of biopsies done. And sometimes it doesn’t bother me at all. But I can tell I’m nowhere near my new norm.

Already had to tell my boss that I’ll be online in the morning but might be a bit slow to respond. I’ll be fully healed by Dopey weekend. But this isn’t one of those times where I’m bouncing back 24 hours after unfortunately.

I’m just relying on my stamina that should have been for RCM at this point. I’ve handled multi race weekends before with light training because thanks health issues. Which I don’t like but I know based on my last three rD races that I have the baseline to do Dopey regardless. Just gotta keep myself from getting too nervous

Admittedly I probably would have been off anyway. Since among the whole long list of things that went wrong before RCM (cold, rain, more uphill than I was ready for, untreated asthma symptoms…) I also had the worst luck of losing my balance and taking a fall when I was leaving my hotel room. And my elbow made me regret it because I used it to catch my fall. Didn’t break or sprain anything so I was able to start. But yeah RCM was just an interesting time all around…

And this isn’t even starting on the fact I had checked into a hotel the night before specifically to be close to the start. And left most of my stuff where I was staying the rest of the trip. Only to somehow have to go back to the other hotel at like 9 pm because I somehow hadn’t managed to get my bib in my suitcase and only discovered it when I went to pin it on my camelbak.

SAFD:

1. On the topic of packing lists. Also make sure there isn’t anything you need to order off Amazon for the trip. You can get it delivered to Disney and I’ve done that before but it’s less stressful to get it now in case shipping gets weird

(I need to order zip ties thus why I’m bringing this up.)

2. I actually got several things done last trip in November that I had never done before (Finding Nemo musical and FLs Fantasmic (had only seen DL) being the most prominent). So I had to actually think on this. I still haven’t seen most of the stage shows at DHS. But I might try and time my DAS return to watch one while I wait for Rock N Roller to come up or TOT.

I guess technically I’ll probably do the line with a chair for RnR. I don’t normally do it anymore and load from the exit platform because it’s easier and they don’t let me take the scooter through the line, but I want to see the pre show one last time before it swaps out for Muppets. And this might be my last chance

Also more personal but while this won’t be my first Dopey. It will be my first Dopey on wheels.

SAFD: 1) Connect your Bluetooth devices (especially AirPods) BEFORE you arrive. Also, update whatever tracking app you use (Nike run club/strava/etc) the night before and open the app BEFORE you arrive at the Epcot parking lot.

One race I had no music bc my AirPods wouldn’t connect to my phone, which is now resolved since I have shockz and then the next race I couldn’t track since my NRC app was bugging out.

Another tip for tracking friends family, share your location the night before on Find My Friends or give someone an air tag, that way you know where they are during/after the race.

2) I’ve done so much, but I think I have still never seen Awesome Planet in Epcot

Second the Bluetooth thing. Because of something pretty close to what you dealt with.

I Made the mistake of not connecting my helmet (has Bluetooth) early enough before my half in October and I thought the Helmets function for Bluetooth had broken completely. Nope just decided to up and not sync. Was really annoying.

I did my 2nd and final 20 miler today! No back to backs in training for me, I "just" did the 20 miler this weekend It was a beautiful day in the Twin Cities, forecast was real feel 15F but it ended up being more like 25F. I dressed well but legs were really stiff by the end, nothing a hot shower couldn't fix. The sun melted the icy spots and the 6" of snow we had was all powder, so one of my less hazardous winter long runs overall.

SAFD:

1. My wisdom is to make your packing list now. Look over it a few times so you know you have everything on it. Nothing worse than trying to pack last minute without a list and forgetting your Garmin charger

2. I've never been to Tom Sawyer Island. Probably never will, now that they're getting rid of it

Same for TSI. Though admittedly mines because it’s not exactly accesible for disabilities in MK. The one in DL is though.

Also I’ve had to borrow a Garmin charger before (NYC 2021) because somehow even though I swore it was in my carryon. It was not. Thankfully a friend in town for the race came through for me

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD:

1) My tip for the races is to mentally prepare yourself for the choke points on the course (cone alley;
International Squeezeway; coming through the Castle; whatever creative name we come up with for new path from the Grand Flo). They are as much a part of these races as the character stops are now. You know they are going to happen, they are going to suck and slow you down, so try not to let it ruin the race. Plus you might get lucky and they won’t be bad.

2) In addition to Tiana’s, I want to try the new Country Bears show (me and probably 3 other people ).

 

[PrincessV]

OK I'm gonna jump in with a SAFD!
We're almost here! We are just over 2 weeks away! So this is a two-fer!

First: What is your ONE (I mean it!) tip, trick, or wisdom that you can share about having a successful race or race weekend?

Second: What is an attraction you've *never* done in WDW parks? (If you've done everything, what's your "never again" attraction?)

SAFD:

1. Specific to WDW races: never underestimate how much longer EVERYTHING takes at WDW. Traveling from place to place, getting food, etc. - plan for things to take twice as long as you think they should and you’ll be golden.

2. Mission: Space Orange. One too many concussions in life = no spinning.

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

Same! Final long run this coming weekend, THEN we can talk about hay and barns lol!

 

[azrivest]

SAFD

First: Check the settings on my Garmin to make sure LiveTrack works correctly and test it beforehand, so my husband and family can track me more accurately during the marathon.

Second: Hall of Presidents. Don't think I've ever done Muppet Vision 3D either, at least not since becoming an adult.

 

[nancipants]

2) In addition to Tiana’s, I want to try the new Country Bears show (me and probably 3 other people ).

It's very cute! My kid liked it a lot.

 

[Cliff Secord]

SAFD:

1) As others have mentioned, layering for cold race mornings is important for me. I freaking hate cold weather.

2) Never done Carousel of Progress, Mission Space, or Dinosaur.

 

[The Expert]

whatever creative name we come up with for new path from the Grand Flo

Might I humbly make the following suggestions:

• The Grand Squeeze
• The Royal Pinch
• Crunch to the Castle
• The Fairy Funnel
• The Enchanted Squeeze
• The Magic Pinch Point

 

[Baloo in MI]

Don't worry, the annual "The Hay Is In The Barn" post will not be made until 2025.

Wouldn’t be Marathon Weekend without - thank you. As I finished my last run of my Dopey sim yesterday I said to myself - “the barn door is closed”.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:

One tip - goes for anyone but especially the Goofy and Dopey runners. When you get back to the hotel run a cold bath, just turn the nozzle to cold, no ice. Let it fill and sit in for 15 minutes. It is uncomfortable but it does wonders and can be followed by a nice warm shower as reward. Then make sure at some point in the afternoon you get out and get in a good walk whether in the parks or just around your resort. For me anyway, I have found this to really help reduce soreness and I have felt so much better the next morning for race two, three or four.

Ride - I am excited to go on Tiana and to see the Country Bears, both will be new for me. Still a bit sad about Country Bears. But at least it did not go the way of Disneyland where the Country Bears just went away completely!